Hunger Dialogue

What is a Hunger Dialogue and why do we need one?

The Hunger Dialogue is a space to empower leaders of all ages and sectors to communicate and collaborate towards a hunger-free community. Jefferson County needs one, because people in the community suffer from hunger as evidenced from the following statistics reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and United Way.

13.6% of Jefferson County residents are food insecure

1 in 5 (19.3%) of youth are food insecure

14.6% of households meet poverty criteria

39% of households are ALICE

49% of elderly residents are ALICE

50% of school age youth are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program

Definitions

An "empty belly" feeling of discomfort or weakness over a sustained period of time (USDA, Merriam Webster)

Lack of consistent access (financial, transportation etc.) to enough food for an active, healthy life. Not all people living below the poverty line experience food insecurity, and people living above the poverty line can experience food insecurity (think wages, and critical household expenses e.g. ill family member, student loans) (USDA)

Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed. By this criteria households may or may not earn more than U.S. poverty levels, but less than the basic cost of living for a geographic region. (United Way)